Smart Guy facts for kids

Smart Guy is a fun television series that aired on The WB network from April 2, 1997, to May 16, 1999. The show is about a super smart boy named T.J. Henderson. He lives in Washington, D.C. and is so intelligent that he skips many grades. This means he goes from elementary school straight to high school! The series follows T.J. as he tries to fit in with much older students and deal with typical teenage problems, even though he's still a kid.

What is Smart Guy About?

Smart Guy tells the story of T.J. Henderson, a ten-year-old genius. He is so smart that he gets moved into Piedmont High School. This puts him in classes with his older brother, Marcus, and his older sister, Yvette.

T.J. is incredibly bright, but he often struggles with everyday social situations. He tries his best to be a normal high school student. This leads to many funny and sometimes challenging moments. The show explores themes of family, friendship, and growing up. It shows how T.J. learns life lessons, often with the help of his family.

Meet the Henderson Family

The show focuses on the Henderson family and their friends. Each character adds something special to the story.

T.J. Henderson

T.J. (played by Tahj Mowry) is the main character. He is a child prodigy, meaning he is super smart for his age. He loves learning and solving problems. However, he sometimes finds it hard to understand social rules. He tries hard to make friends and fit in with his high school classmates.

Marcus Henderson

Marcus (played by Jason Weaver) is T.J.'s older brother. He is a typical high school student who loves sports and hanging out with friends. Marcus is not as academic as T.J., but he often helps his younger brother understand social situations. They have a classic sibling relationship, with lots of teasing but also a lot of love.

Yvette Henderson

Yvette (played by Essence Atkins) is T.J.'s older sister. She is responsible and often acts like a second parent to her brothers. Yvette is a good student and tries to guide T.J. and Marcus. She sometimes gets annoyed by their antics but always cares deeply for them.

Floyd Henderson

Floyd (played by John Marshall Jones) is the father of T.J., Marcus, and Yvette. He is a single dad who works hard to raise his three children. Floyd tries his best to understand T.J.'s unique challenges. He also tries to keep his family together and happy.

Mo Tibbs

Mo (played by Omar Gooding) is Marcus's best friend. He is often involved in Marcus's plans and schemes. Mo is funny and sometimes a bit goofy. He adds a lot of humor to the show and is a loyal friend to Marcus.

Why Was the Show Popular?

Smart Guy was popular because it was funny and relatable. Many kids could connect with the idea of trying to fit in. Even though T.J. was a genius, his struggles were often things that anyone could understand. The show also had a great cast and strong family values. It taught lessons about honesty, friendship, and being yourself. The humor came from T.J.'s smarts clashing with everyday life.

Cast Members

• Tahj Mowry as T.J. Henderson
• Jason Weaver as Marcus Henderson
• Omar Gooding as Mo Tibbs
• Essence Atkins as Yvette Henderson
• John Marshall Jones as Floyd Henderson

Images for kids

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  The series main cast (from left); Mo (Omar Gooding), Floyd (John Marshall Jones), T.J. (Tahj Mowry), Yvette (Essence Atkins) and Marcus (Jason Weaver)